Survey findings point to the potential of integrated health information technologies and how they will transform the continuum of healthcare

A recent U.S. survey commissioned by Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a leading health and well-being company, found that consumers believe web-enabled, mHealth and mobile apps are part of their health care solutions and key to living long lives. For example, one in 10 Americans (11 percent) surveyed believe that if it were not for web-based health information, "they might already be dead or severely incapacitated."

In addition, a quarter of those surveyed use symptom checker websites or home-based diagnosis technology as much as they visit the doctor, while another 27 percent use these interactive applications instead of going to the doctor. Forty-one percent said they were comfortable using websites to check their health symptoms. While about half of Americans (49 percent) are comfortable with symptom checker technologies or home-based vital sign monitors automatically sharing information with their doctor, more than one third of those surveyed believe technology that allows one to monitor his/her own health is now the key to living a long life.

"We are in the early stages of the web-enabled, mHealth, mobile app world of healthcare delivery. Near- future apps will focus on tying together health information technologies, connecting with doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals and patients, all within a social context that facilitates shared medical decision-making," said Dr. Eric Silfen, Chief Medical Officer of Philips Healthcare. "This evolution will harken the new vital signs of the clinical times with technologies that help prevent medical errors, lower the financial and social cost of care, sustain a higher quality of medical practice and support an evidence-based standard for medicine in general. Ultimately, the technological undercurrents of the post-PC world - the power of many, designer gadgets, cloud ecosystems, and mobile app computing - will hasten the personalization and partnerships that will transform sustainable medical care to the highest quality."

Philips predicts smart devices will enable ease of access and care anywhere. For example, custom web portals such as Philips' CarePartners mobile appwill transport patients, families, doctors and nurses into a secure, virtual space to coordinate long-term medical services. In addition, personal health books will serve as a compendium of an individual's confidential health information, where they can update and manage the personal, medical and social facets of their care, as well as their beliefs, values and preferences to guide how care will be provided.

Philips is investing in research to develop unique healthcare technology solutions that combine superior clinical expertise with deep human insights. These solutions aim to help people cultivate stronger connections between themselves, their families and their physicians. Philips Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Eric Silfen, predicts the accessibility, portability and ease of use afforded by "mobile apps" will best leverage personally actionable health information, and help extend the rich technologies driving our hospitals of the future out to the entire continuum of care.

About the Survey

Philips commissioned Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) to conduct a survey among a national sample of 1,003 adults, comprising of 503 men and 500 women ages 18 years and older, living in the continental United States. Data were weighted to be nationally representative.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.